Refrigerating apparatus.



E.RUU& REFRIGERATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1912.

PatentedSept. 14, 1915. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1. I

INYENTOR E. RUUD. REFRIGERATING APPARATUS APIPLICATION FILED MAY 6.1912.

Patented Sept. 14, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

mveN'roR WN MN wrmss sss mansrarne are rrren EDWIN RUUD, OF PITTSBURGH;PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T RUUD MANUFAC- TUBING- COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH,PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

REFRIGNRATING APPARATUS.

- Patented Sept. 14, 1 915.

Application filed May 6, 1912. Serial No. 695,432..

The primary object of the invention is to provide a fully automaticrefrigerating apparatus of absorption type that requires no attentionafter being installed and started,

, the apparatus being caused to repeat its cycle of operationsautomatically by the substance that causes refrigeration. Attention andcare of an operator are unnecessary, the apparatus being self-containedand selfoperated. i

A further object of the invention is to provide for automaticallycontrolling the temperature of the refrigerator, refrigeration'beingstopped when the desired degree of cold it attained, so that it is quiteimpossible for freezing or damaging low temperatures to be createdwithin the refrigerating compartment.

Still a further purposeis to provide two separate controlling means forthe gas supply, one being controlled by the substance that causesrefrigeration, and the other by the temperature of the generator, sothat the supply of gas will be diminished or cut ofi when the generatorhas attained a suficiently high temperature before the productof ghegenerator has accumulated in suf:

ficient' amount to operate the gas valve mechanism controlled thereby.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration ofthe appa ratus, the several parts being in'theposition they assume whenthe generator is in action and before it begins to act as an absorber.Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the several parts, in thepositions they assume when refrigeration is going on, with the generatorshut off, and with the generator-absorber acting as an absorber. Alsoincluded in Fig. 2 are several features of modified constructon.

Referring to the drawings, 2 is the tank or container which initiallyserves as'a generator and subsequently as an absorber, the former whenthe burner or heater is active for generating ammonia vapor and gas, andoperating as an absorber when the depleted liquid remainingthereinfollowing the generating process is reabsorbing the ammonia afterit has accomplished refrigeration. A vapor and gas outlet pipe 3 extendsfrom the top generator 2 to separating coil 4: immediately above andconnected to condenser coil 5. Coil l serves to separate the initialcondensate from the gas and drains it back into the generator, while thesubstantially pure ammonla gas and vapor pass into the condenser coil. 1

The lower end of condenser coil 5 connects with a tank-like receiver 6which is movable vertically with its supporting lever 7, the latterfulcrumed at 8 and carrying counterweight 9. A fixed stop 10 extendsbetween lugs 11 and 12 projecting from receiver 6, said stop and lugslimiting the upward and downward movement of the receiver. Counterweight9 is adapted to shift or roll on lever 7 between stops 7' and 7". Whencontainer 6 is elevated as in Fig. l the lever is inclined sutlicientlyto cause the weight.

to shift outwardly against stop 7 and exert maximum resistance to thelowering of receiver 6. But when the latter fills suiticiently toovercome the weight and lower, the weight shifts inwardly against stops7", as in Fig. 2, thereby decreasing the leverage and permitting thereceiver to remain in lowered position until empty or approximately so.

Connected to the bottom of receiver 6 is coil 13 of pipe 14- whichextends to the refrigerator 15, where it connects with the refrigeratingcoil 16 in manner presently to be explained. In the adaptation shown inFig. 1, a thermostatic valve 17, mounted in the end of generator 2, isinterposed in pipe 14. and controls the flow from receiver 6 to therefrigerating coil, as will presently appear. In the adaptation of Fig.2, valve 17 is omitted, pipe 14 extending uninterruptedly from receiver6 to the refrigerator.

At the refrigerator, pipe 14: connects with the'thermostatic valve 18whichis controlled by the temperature of the refrigerating chamber andgoverns the admission of the refrigerating substance into therefrigerating coil 16. The refrigerating coil: or pipe third ammonia andtwo-thirds water.

' ward discharge into the absorber from the condenser.

The generator heating means consists of a gas burner 22 to which gas issupplied through pipe 24: in which is interposed valve 25. Stem '26 ofthis valve is adjustably connected to one end of lever 27 fulcrumedbetween its ends and at its op osite end connected to snap spring 28.link 29 connects lever 27 with the counterweighted end of thereceiver-supporting lever A bracket 30=provides a convenient support forlevers 7 and 27, also for valve .25, and one end of the bracket may beshaped as shown to provide the stop 10. The outer end of snap spring 28may be connected to a downward extension 30 of the bracket.

In the preferred ararngement, gas supply pipe 24 is provided with athermostatic valve 32 fixed in the end of container 2 opposite valve 17,valve 32 proportioning the flow of gas to the temperature of the liquidin the container, the action of the thermostat being such as to contractthe gas passage as the temperature rises and to cut oil the gasaltogether when the desired maximum temperature has been attained. I

33 is a constantly burning pilot for burner 22. Container 2 may beprovided with a pressure gage 34 and thermometer 35".

In operation, generator 2 is nearly filled with water and ammonia, theproportions as commercially obtainable being about one- With the partsin the position shown in Fig. 1,

gas valve 25 is open, and the liquid being cold or relatively coolthermostatic valve 32 is also open. Receiver 6 isempty, or substantiallyso, and is in elevated position with lug 11 engaging stop 10. Underthese conditionsgenerator 2 and its contents are gradually heated, andas the temperature rises ammonia vapor aiid gas are generated, and

- under the increasing pressure the vapor and gas ass off through pipe 3into separator 41 w ich results indraining the initial condensate backthrough pipe 3, and substantially 'ure ammonia gas, or vapor or both,are de 'vered through check valve 21 into the condenser coil 5 where,under proper temperatufe' and pressure conditions, the gas and'vapor areliquefied, the liquid discharging into receiver 6. This operation willcontinue until practically all of the armmonia has been extracted fromthe liquid in enerator 2 when the weight of the scen mu lated liquidammonia in receiver 6 ever-- comes counterweight 9 and the receiverlowers to the position shown in Fi 2 with lug 12 engaging 10,- the'convo utions of condenser coil 5 and coil 13 being sufiiciently flexibleto permit of thevertical movement of the receiver without hindrance. The

counterweighted end of later 7 is of eourse elevated as the receiverlowers, and through link connection 29 burner control-ling lever 27 isoscillated and gas supply valve 25 closed. Snap spring 28 is so arrangedthat initially it opposes the movement of lever 27 in either directionand accelerates the last portions of each of said movements, the springbeing contracted by such initial movements and expanding during thecompletion of such movement. Link 29 is slotted vertically at 31 toreceive connecting pin 31 of lever 7. Normally, pin 31 is approximatelymidway the ends of the slot, whether the mechanism is holding valve 25open, as in Fig. 1, or closed as in Fig. 2. Slot 31 permits lever 7 tomove either up or down through the major portion of its throw withoutaffecting the gas valve, the latter being closed or opened by a suddenand complete movement instead of closing or opening gradually asreceiver 6 lowers or raises, the movement being accelerated, as aboveindi cated, by spring 28. This insures positive predetermined actionfrom the burner, prevents injury thereto resulting fromv gradualincrease and decrease of heat, and avoids flickering or variation in theflame. lVith receiver 6 in lowered position and-the gas shut ofl fromburner 22 generator 2 cools down to a point where the depleted liquid orpoor liquor will absorb ammonia vapor, whereupon the generator becomesan absorber. The arrangement is preferably such that thermostatic valve17 remains closed until the liquid is some degrees below the point atwhich. absorption will begin. But when the temperature has loweredsuifinia from receiver 6 is permitted to flow through pipe 14 and intothe normally open thermostatic valve 18 and into refri era-ting coil 16where cold is developed ue to the expansion and vaporization of theliquid, valve 18 being .in effect an expansion valve. The ammoniavapor,- with the heat absorbed from refrigerator 15, isconductedth'roughpipe 19 into chamber 2 which, as before stated, has now become anabsorber, the vapor flowing past check valve 20. This absorption processcontinues until all'of the liquid is absorbed from receiver 6, or untilthe temperature of refrigerator 15 is reduced as low asdesired,determined by the adjustmentof valve 18.- H the minimum temperature isreached before tank 61s emptied and hence before it'rises from theposition shown in Fi' 2 to that of Fig. 1, valve 18 closes and t ecirculation is shut 0E, and the apparatus remains at a standstill untilthe temperature of the refrigerator rises suficiently' to open valve 18for the continuation of the refrigerating and absorbing processesand'until receiver 61s relieved of enough of it's contents to bereceiver rises and the parts resume the positions shown in Fig. '1 whichresults in opening gas valve and starting burner 22 and again heating upthe rehabilated liquid in generator 2. The pressure in the generatorsoon overcomes the pressure in pipe 19 and closes check valve 20, andthe absorber is transformed into a generator and so continues untilsubstantially all of the ammonia is again extracted from the liquid incon tainer 2. When the liquid within the con tainer attains asufliciently high temperature and 32, are quite important. Valve 25 actspositvely to shut oh the supply at the completion of the generatingprocess, and

valve 32 either diminishes the supply or cuts it ofi altogether when theliquid has attained a sutficiently. high temperature before thecompletion of such generation, thus preventing the generator frombecoming overheated.

I use the term refrigerating coil in its 1 broad sense, meaning therebyany form of conduit for the vapor that will accomplish refrigerationregardless of whether located 1 within a refrigerating chamber orwherever it-is desired to accomplish refri ,eration. 'In the embodimenthere shown, t e stemlike extension of valve 18 is embraced by therefrigerating coil so that when the re frigerator attains the desiredminimum temperature the valve is closed and refrigeration stops untilthe temperature rises su'fliciently to openit. By this means the re-'frigerating process is so controlled that it is absolutely impossiblefor the refrigerator to attain a damaging low temperature.

While I prefer to provide two separate means for controlling the flow ofliquid ammonia to the refrigerating coil, viz., valves 17 and 18, valve17 may be dispensed ,with, as in Fig. 2, the flow being controlledentirely by valve 18 which, in turn, is di-- rectly controlled by thetemperature of the refrigerator.

llnlieu of thermostatic valve 32 for the gas supply, the valve mechanismshown in Fig.2 may be employed wherein valve 4Q in gas pipe 24 is heldnormally open by spring 41 which bears against diaphragm 42 to whichpressure from generator 2 is cominunicated through pipe 43, with theresult that when suficiently'high pressure has-been attained spring 41is compressed and valve 40 partially or completely closed, as determinedby the pressure.

llhe operation of the, apparatus as shown in Fig. 1 presupposes suchatmospheric conditions as will cool the condenser coil 5 sufficientlytoperform its function, and like- Wise will suficiently cool chamber 2to constitute it an absorber. However, climatic conditions or the normaltemperature of the compartments in which the apparatus is located may betoo high to be effective. In,

such case, the expedient illustrated'in Fig. 2

may be resorted to in which a considerable portion of the chamber coilis inclosed in a water tank 44,enough pf the coil convolutions remainingbeneath the tank 'to compensate for the vertical movement of receiver 6.45 is a water supply pipe which delivers to the double acting valve 46from which leads a pipe 47 to'tank 44 and another pipe 48 into chamber2, being preferably coiled therein as indicated at 49 and leadingtherefrom at" 50.. 51 is the overflow pipe for tank 44. By thisarrangement when chamher 2 is acting as an absorber the double valve 46is closed to pipe 4'T and open to .pipe 48 so that water circulatesthrough coil 49 and assists very materially in lowering the temperatureof the depleted liquid remaining in chamber 2, thereby increasing itsefficiency as anabsorber. As valve 46 is operated conjointly with gasvalve 25, the opening of the latter, as in Fig. 1, will close valve 46to pipe 48 and open it to pipe 47 thereby establishing circulation ofwater through tank 44 and increasing the efficiency of the condenser.The cooling efiect of the water is transmitted alternately to thecondenser and to the generator-absorber, these efi'ects alternating withthe alternations of the apparatus from generating and condensing torefrigerating and absorbing, as will be understood.

The thermostatic valves 17, 18 and 32, the gas valves 25 and 40, and thewater valve 46, are all old and well known to those skilledin the 'artand detailed illustration and description are believed unnecessary.

While it is designed primarily that refrigeration shall take place onlywhen the parts are in the positions or adjustments shown in Fig. 2, orin other words when chamber 2 is operating as an absorber, the coldproduced during such alternating peduring the generating and condensingperiod, but if necessary a receptacle containing brine may be placedwithin the refrigerator, or other means may be employed for storing upthe cold and giving it oil when the refrigerating coil cannot be active.ll refer herein to the use of ammonia because its properties are wellknown, and because it is generally used in refrigerating plants; It willbe understood, however, that any other fluid having like or similarcharacteristics may be employed without departing from the invention.

I claim 1. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a riods is ordinarilysufficient to maintain the refrigerator at sufiiciently low temperaturegenerator, annpright flexible condenser coil connected thereto, avertlcally movable receiver to which the flexible coil is connected,

counterweight means sustaining the receiver normally elevated butadapted to be overbalanced and' the receiver depressed by liquidaccumulated in the receiver, a heater for the generator, heatercontrolling means movable with the receiver, and arefrigeratrespectively to the generator and the re-q frigerator forcontrolling the passage of fluid from the condenser to the refrigeratingcoil, and condenser heating means.

a 3. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a generator, a condenser, arefrigerating coil adapted to communicate with the refrigerator and withthe condenser, a gas burner for the generator, a gas supply pipe leadingto the burner, two valves controlling the flow of gas to the burner,means actuated by the condition of the generator contents for actuatingone of the valves, and means actuated in part by the product from thecondenser and in part by a'counter'weight for actuating the other ofsaid Valves. 0

4; Re igerating apparatus comprising a generator, a condenser, arefrigerating coil adapted to communicate with the condenser and withthe generator, a gas burne1 for the generator, and two independentautomatically operated valves for controlling the flow of gas to theburner, one valve actuated by the llquid inthegenerator and the othervalve by liquid from the condenser.

-5 Refrigerating apparatus comprising a generator, a condensercommunicating there'- with consisting of an upright flexible coil, avertically movable receiver connected 'to thelower end of the condenser,a refrigerating coil, a pipe coiled adjacent to the receiver andconnected to the latter and to the refrigerating coil and adapted tocompen sate forthe vertical movement of the receiver,..a eounterweightedsupport for the receiver, a heater for the generator, and

heater controlling means movable with the.

receiver 6. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a generator, a condenserconnected thereto, a vertically movable receiver into which thecondenser discharges i and which is depressed by liquid accumulatedtherein, means for restoring the receiver to raised position whendepleted of liquid, a heater for the generator, heater controlling meanshaving as loose connection with the receiver and actuated only by thelast portions. of the opposite vertical movements of the receiver tostart and stop the heater, and a refrigerating coil adapted tocommunicate withithe receiver and with the generator. L

7. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a generator, a condenser connectedthereto, a vertically movable receiver into which the condenserdischarges and which is depressed by the weight of liquid accumulatedtherein, means opposing depression of the receiver and for elevating itwhen depleted of liquid, a heater for the generator, a refrigeratingcoil adapted to communicate with the receiver and with the generator,and a thermostatic valve exposed to the temperature of the refrigeratingcoil and controlling the 8G I passage of fluid into the latter from thecondenser.-.

8. Refrigerating apparatus comprising a generator, a condenser connectedthereto, a

vertically movable receiver, into'which the '85 I condenser dischargesand which is depressed by the weight of liquid accumulated therein, L

means opposing depression of the receiver and for elevating it whendepleted of,liquid, a heater for the generator, a refrigerating coiladapted to communicate with the receiver and with the generator, and ath er'mostatic valve exposed to the temperature of the generator forcontrolling the passage of fluid from the condenser to the refrigeratingcoil. I Y In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presenceof'twowitnesses v 1 EDWIN RUUD; Witnesses 1 i J. M. Nnsnrr',

F. E. Gamma

